WHEN 27-year-old Anna Humphries first worked for the charity Action For Children, she was on a work placement as part of her course at the University of Worcester.

She enjoyed working for the organisation so much that she decided to continue her association with it by becoming a volunteer.

Anna, who graduated last month and now works for the Acquired Brain Injury Centre in Evesham, holds the charity close to her heart as she took her six-year-old son to its children’s centre in Tudor Way, Worcester, when he was a toddler.

She now offers one or two hours a month as an Early Help Champion, making sure all centres and venues used by families with children have access to information about Action for Children Early Help services.

“I cover St John’s and deliver leaflets to shops, schools, dentists, GP, the youth centre, churches, the library and anywhere else used by families with children. I really make sure that this information is going into the hands of people who need it.

“Action For Children is very close to my heart. I have a six-year-old son and I used to take him to the Tudor Way centre. I really feel like I am giving something back,” said Anna.

But Action For Children need more people like Anna in Worcester as there are just two volunteer Early Help Champions - and they both work on the west side of the city.

Andy Stone, volunteer and work placement co-ordinator for the charity, said: “At the moment we are really trying to push the Early Help Champion. It helps to raise awareness of the project within the community.

“At the moment we have only got two people who are currently undertaking the role and we really need about 10 to cover the whole of Worcester.

“The great thing about being a champion is that the person is very much in control of how much they do and how they do it. It is the most flexible volunteering role we have.

“It is a once-a-month commitment and involves a couple of hours going around the centres making sure the literature is up to date and signposting families to our services.

“We need people in Warndon, Perdiswell, Barbourne, Claines, Nunnery Wood, Battenhall – everywhere on the east side of the river. It is a matter of making sure every family in Worcester city is aware of our services. We are looking to have people in their local areas who know the area and they know where to go.”

Anyone interested in becoming an Action For Children Early Help Champion or would like more information should contact Andy on 01905 613526 or email him on andrew.stone@actionforchildren.org.uk

Action For Children head of services Sue Rogers said the Worcester City Early Help is a programme from Worcestershire County Council that covers all of Worcester city and offers advice, guidance and support to families with children aged from birth to 19 years including the delivery of six children’s centres. It covers issues like young people not getting into employment, emotional well-being, relationships and behaviours, staying safe and parenting.

“It is funded by the county council to meet the local needs of children and families to enable them to reach positive chances and outcomes. We have 60 volunteers supporting the delivery of help across Worcester city.”